NA-122: PML-N kicks off by-election campaign

PTI leaders say party chairman will announce campaign plan today

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz workers have set up offices and started canvassing for votes in NA-122 and PP-147 following the party’s decision to contest by-elections rather than challenging in the Supreme Court the Election Tribunal’s decision to de-seat its national and provincial assembly members from the constituencies.

The Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf has yet to start its campaign in the constituencies. Its leaders and workers say they are waiting for the party chairman’s visit to the city on Saturday (today) to make a move.

The NA-122 comprises some of the most populous areas of the city. These are Ichhra, Daharmpura, Shadman, Samanabad, Shah Jamal and several neighbhourhoods along Upper Mall. The seat fell vacant after an election tribunal found irregularities in the 2013 election and ordered a fresh poll, de-seating PML-N’s Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. Sadiq had defeated PTI chairman Imran Khan in 2013. PML-N’s Mohsin Latif was de-seated from PP-147. He had defeated PTI’s Shoaib Siddiqi.

Khalil Umar, a PML-N worker, said a central office had been set up in Samanabad to co-ordinate party’s campaign in the constituencies. He said they had started holding corner meetings too.

Bilal Popi, another PML-N worker, said teams had been formed to canvass for votes in the area.

The PTI is yet to start its campaign in the constituencies. PTI’s Shoaib Siddiqi said they were waiting for PTI chairman Imran Khan’s visit to the city on Saturday (today) to announce a plan for its campaign.

Another senior PTI leader said Khan was expected to announce that the party would not field candidates for the by-elections under the current composition of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Agha Javaid, a PTI worker, said he was not worried about the delay in decision to start the campaign. He said the party was well-placed to win the by-poll.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29^th, 2015.